NFL referee Gene Steratore explains index card usage in Dallas Cowboys' win over Oakland Raiders
Monday 18 December 2017 13:03, UK
NFL referee Gene Steratore has explained why he used a folded index card to help clarify a crucial first down decision in Dallas Cowboys’ 20-17 win against the Oakland Raiders.
With the scores locked at 17-17 in the fourth quarter, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott converted a fourth-down sneak, leading to Dan Bailey's game-winning field goal.
The win kept Dallas' playoff hopes alive, and following the game, Steratore explained his decision to use the index card after already using the chains to help determine the measurement.
"I didn't use the card to make the final decision," Steratore said. "The final decision was made visually.
"The card was nothing more than a reaffirmation of what was visually done. The decision was made based on my visual from the top looking down and the ball touching the front of the pole."
He added: "The judgement was not made by the card itself. It was made by a visual looking at the football as it relates to the line and the pole."
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